Astronomy. 131 
two persons who were abroad between that time and midnight report 
that shooting stars were unusually frequent, but they made no definite 
observations. I watched a few minutes about 7 p.m. of the 8th, and 
again about 5 a. m. of the 9th, but saw nothing uncommon. _ &. ©. H. 
Meteor seen in full Daylight—On Sunday, June 16th, 1850, 
a brilliant fire ball was seen in the northern sky, by two observers in 
ew Haven, while the sun was shining in full strength, about an hour 
before its setting. The time was 64 25™; the sky clear. 
e meteor was of a brilliant white, apparently as large as Venus, 
with a train about a degree long, and disappeared without apparent ex- 
plosion. Its motion was slow, the time of flight being about two 
seconds, Mr. George Rice and Mr. J. P. Humaston, who were sitting 
together at the time, each saw the body independently. Their separate 
testimony gave its position as follows, viz., when first detected, N. 11° 
or 14° E., and altitude 27° or 35°; at disappearance, N. 14° or 11° 
W. and altitude 16°. 
meteor must have been of extraordinary brilliancy to have made 
itself visible in such circumstances, and had it occurred in the night 
Season would, no doubt, have been a grand spectacle. If an erson 
elsewhere saw the henomenon, it is to be hoped they will publish their 
observations, in order to furnish the means for determining the magni- 
tude, velocity and direction of the body. E. C. H. 
9. Meteor of September 30, 1850.—On Monday evening, Sept. 30, 
An interesting account of this phenomenon: has been published in the 
Daily vening Traveller of Boston, Oct. 21, by W. C. Bond, Esq., 
following particulars, 
“The meteor exploded leaving a bright train about eight degrees 
long, extending from near the Head of Medusa towards a point three 
degrees below the star alpha Arietis, this being the direction of motion, 
and projecting 4 portion of its mass forward about two degrees. This 
Ook place at 8" 54™ m.s.t. of the Observatory, and in or very near 
the small constellation Musca Borealis, in R. A. 28 30™ and N. decl. 
aey There were numerous radiations, but nothing sparkling in its ap- 
> At 85 57™ this had subsided into a serpentine figure about 
& degree broad in the widest part and ten degrees long. At 9b 
aes 3 
. 
